Beginning with Mars, we review the ongoing effort to search for habitable planets, liquid water, and life in the cosmos. Culminating in the search for intelligent life, whether or not it already exists on Earth.

Educated at Harvard and Columbia, Tyson's professional research interests are broad, but include star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and the structure of our Milky Way. He was appointed twice by President Bush to serve on a 9-member commission on the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy, This group navigated a path by which the new space vision can become a successful part of the American agenda. And in 2006, the head of NASA appointed Tyson to serve on its prestigious Advisory Council, which will help guide NASA through its perennial need to fit its ambitious vision into its restricted budget. Recently Tyson served as Executive Editor and on camera Host & Narrator for Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey, the 21st century continuation of Carl Sagan's landmark television series.